Physically punishing children is not effective and increases behavioural problems

Physical punishment of children is not effective in improving children's behaviour and instead increases behavioural difficulties, according to a landmark review led by UCL and an international team of experts who have analysed 20 years' research on the topic. The narrative review, published today in The Lancet , looked at 69 studies worldwide that followed children over time and analysed data on physical punishment and a range of different outcomes. Across the world, two thirds (63%) of children between the ages of 2 and 4, approximately 250 million children*, are regularly subjected to physical punishment by their caregivers. So far, 62 sovereign countries** as well as Scotland and Wales have banned the practice and the experts are calling for all countries - including England and Northern Ireland - to end the physical punishment of children in all settings including the home. Lead author, Dr Anja Heilmann (UCL Department of Epidemiology and Public Health) said: "Physical punishment is ineffective and harmful and has no benefits for children and their families. This could not be clearer from the evidence we present. "We see a definitive link between physical punishment and behavioural problems such as aggression and antisocial behaviour.